Heathrow Airport’s decision to join the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) will help its expansion campaign, it has been suggested.

According to Paul Wait, the GTMC’s chief executive, the group plans to continue supporting Heathrow in its growth efforts, with plans for a third runway currently under discussion.

The airport’s director of policy and political relations, Nigel Milton, also feels positive about the decision. He was quoted by incentivetravel.co.uk as saying: “We work with a broad number of TMCs and see a huge volume of business travellers pass through the airport on a daily basis.

“Working with the GTMC and its network, we look forward to continuing to develop our offer and build for future expansion.”

Adding to this, Mr Wait said the move shows just how important the business market is to Heathrow. According to buyingbusinesstravel.com, the results of a survey published recently by the GTMC highlighted just how popular the airport is among corporate travellers.

Doubts have been raised over the potential expansion of Heathrow, with some critics claiming that a brand new airport would be a better solution to the current issue of overcrowded skies. Initial proposals for a new facility in the Thames estuary have also been put forward by architect firm Foster + Partners.